First look at new late-night bar above Ivy Lodge as Shiprow goes up a level

By Andy Morton

November 25 2022, 11:45 am

Ivy Lodge is now a lot bigger, thanks to general manager Monica McQuilter, left, and marketing manager Millie Hordowicz. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Ivy Lodge, the Aberdeen bar on one of the city’s most historic streets, is hitting new heights as it opens up a second floor.

The Shiprow pub this week doubled capacity to 300 with a new upstairs area, making it one of the biggest bars in Aberdeen.

It also means customers at Ivy Lodge can do something they haven’t been able to do before – go inside!

The new second-floor bar doubles capacity at Ivy Lodge. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Ivy Lodge, which is housed in formerly derelict buildings in the heart of Aberdeen’s old maritime district, has until now been al fresco.

That’s because it started life in November 2020 as an outdoor pop-up bar as part of a project to bring life back to Shiprow.

A parade of patio heaters and a temporary roof warm the bones of customers sitting outdoors in the colder months. All to great success – Ivy Lodge’s owners say the bar has been just as busy this winter as it was in the summer.

However, customers will now have the choice to venture upstairs. And because the new second-floor bar has a late licence, the party can continue when downstairs closes at 10pm.

The party doesn’t have to stop now that the second-floor bar is open. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

“We’ve got all the heaters downstairs, so it’s nice to have this indoor part as well,” says Monica McQuilter, general manager at the Ivy Lodge. “And something that will open later as well.”

Check out our exclusive pictures of Aberdeen’s all new Ivy Lodge bar

Over the past few months, Ivy Lodge has completed a huge refurbishment of the second-floor space – unveiled for the first time in our exclusive pictures.

The work has turned what was formerly part of Aberdeen night spot Oh Henry’s into a vibrant and airy bar.

The main area boasts a ceiling-high bar that towers over customers and is packed with bottles.

Take your pick of drinks at the ceiling-to-floor bar. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Elsewhere, there are little corners for private chats and a balcony that commands an eagle’s view of the bar.

Ivy Lodge gets into the Christmas spirit

Ivy Lodge is now gearing up for Christmas and expects the upstairs bar to play a big part in Aberdeen’s winter festivities.

Christmas is going to be even busier at Ivy Lodge this year. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

“We’ve got so many people booked in for their Christmas parties,” says Monica, adding that the bar will also be busy on Mad Friday, one of the big party nights before Christmas.

“Mad Friday is going to be mad,” she says.

The new bar is a next step in the regeneration of Shiprow Village, a project spearheaded by Shiprow Village operations manager Keith Martin.

Ivy Lodge GM Monica McQuilter can’t wait to show off the new bar. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson.

Keith also works with the nearby Craftsman Company bar and coffee shop and Malones pub and wants Shiprow to sit at the heart of Aberdeen’s nightlife scene.

“It’s really good to have local, small independent businesses as well as the chance to all work together,” says Monica, who has been part of the Shiprow project for two years.

“There’s so much history here and it’s good to see all the feedback we’re getting from people that have never been down to this part of town for a while.”